Industrial Relations

• Industrial disputes on the rise: ABS 10 Sep 2012

  Data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics regarding industrial disputes has shown that for 2011/12 there was a significant increase in disputes and days lost in the labour market – sparking debate on both sides of the political fence. read more

• Fair Work Act Review: Much to do about nothing 20 Aug 2012

  Gerard Phillips writes that the review of the Fair Work Act has been a failed opportunity to address serious structural issues in Australia's IR system. read more

• Employers fume as injured worker wins dismissal claim 06 Jun 2012

  The FWA full bench decision in an appeals case brought forward by a major labour hire company has been met with outrage from employers. read more

• Adverse actions claims on the rise: Don’t land in hot water 04 Apr 2012

  The highly controversial ‘adverse actions’ provision in the Fair Work Act (2009) is proving likely to land HR in trouble as the number of claims continue to rise. read more

• Tread carefully when checking civil litigation history 13 Mar 2012

  Checking publicly available civil litigation information may ensure organisations safeguard themselves against hiring people found negligent or liable by a civil court, but involves a whole host of limitations and risks. read more

• Are we losing the productivity battle? 16 Feb 2012

  Australia is losing the battle to be internationally competitive and has become a high-cost, low-productivity country complacent about what is needed to secure its prosperity, top-tier business leaders have warned. read more

• Flexibility clauses dubbed a “sham” 08 Feb 2012

  The Fair Work Ombudsman (FWO) has come under fire from industry groups for failing to properly oversee the administration of flexibility clauses in the Fair Work Act. The bottom line is that small and medium-sized businesses need more guidance. read more

• Landmark decision means employers must implement pay increase for 150,000 workers 02 Feb 2012

  Fair Work Australia (FWA) announced yesterday that private-sector employers in the social and community services (SACS) industry will be hit with a wage increase requirement ranging from 19% to 41% to be phased in over the next eight years via the industry modern award. read more

• ‘IR laws favour workers over bosses’: RBA board member 01 Feb 2012

  The current industrial relations landscape weighs too heavily in favour of workers at the expense of employers, and the effect is a reluctance to take on extra employees, a Reserve Bank (RBA) director has said. read more

• Silicon Valley firms sued over “no-poaching” pact 01 Feb 2012

  The world’s biggest tech companies including Google and Apple are being called to account by former employees over alleged “no poaching” deals – an indication of the extreme measures top-tier firms take to retain their key talent. read more

• Frontline Intelligence: Legal - The politics of adverse action 01 Feb 2012

  Peter Doughman outlines why recent developments in the Barclay case are a cause for concern for employers. read more